Benchmarq Microelectronics, Inc.

Texas Instruments Corporation

Scientific Operating Systems, Inc.

William F Davies, Jr

Gene L Armstrong, Ii

Ronald T Taylor

David Louis Freeman

David L Freeman

Charles C Smith

Eric C Smith

A battery monitoring/control device includes a monitor/control device ( ) that is operable to be integrated with a microprocessor system. The system includes a CPU ( ) that interfaces with a data bus ( ) and an address bus ( ). The CPU ( ) interfaces through a data line ( ) with the control/monitor device ( ) and control lines ( ) and ( ). Commands and data can be input to the control/monitor circuit ( ) and data received therefrom. The control/monitor device ( ) includes a controller/data register block ( ) and a battery charge control/monitor block ( ). The device ( ) is operable to monitor the battery voltage of a secondary battery ( ) during charging thereof and to control the rate of charge through a transistor ( ). The battery monitor ( ) determines when the voltage on the battery ( ) reaches a predetermined level indicating full-charge. A discharge circuit ( ) controls a discharge transistor ( ) to discharge the battery ( ) through a sense resistor ( ) for conditioning of the battery. The system receives current from the battery ( ) through the resistor ( ), the current monitored by a Gas Gauge monitor ( ). The Gas Gauge monitor ( ) maintains a measurement of the capacity of the battery ( ). Control and status information is maintained in control/status register ( ), which are set to a default value in a default register ( ) upon power up. The CPU ( ) can store control information in the registers ( ) in order to control the device ( ). Further, status information of the device ( ) can be stored in the register ( ) for access by the CPU ( ) through a bus interface ( ).

System for charging monitoring batteries for a microprocessor based method

Devices for monitoring bearing performance in apparatus having an aperture sized and configured to receive a grease fitting. The devices comprise a temperature sensor or a vibration sensor, or both, to enable detection of impending bearing failure, and further comprise rigidly attached electronic components which amplify signals generated by the temperature sensor and/or vibration sensor. The devices may be adapted to either replace or supplement conventional grease fittings, and enable the transmission of electronic signals which may be used for constant monitoring of critical equipment. Bearing housings which incorporate these features, as well as subassemblies and related methods, are also described.

Sensory fitting and integrated electronics for monitoring bearing performance

A battery monitoring/control device includes a monitor/control device (35) that is operable to be integrated with a microprocessor system. The system includes a CPU (12) that interfaces with a data bus (14) and an address bus (16). The CPU (12) interfaces through a data line (40) with the control/monitor device (35) and control lines (28) and (34). Commands and data can be input to the control/monitor circuit (35) and data received therefrom. The control/monitor device (35) includes a controller/data register block (36) and a battery charge control/monitor block (44). The device (35) is operable to monitor the battery voltage of a secondary battery (46) during charging thereof and to control the rate of charge through a transistor (66). The battery monitor (90) determines when the voltage on the battery (46) reaches a predetermined level indicating full-charge. A discharge circuit (94) controls a discharge transistor (72) to discharge the battery (46) through a sense resistor (68) for conditioning of the battery. The system receives current from the battery (46) through the resistor (68), the current monitored by a Gas Gauge monitor (92). The Gas Gauge monitor (92) maintains a measurement of the capacity of the battery (46). Control and status information is maintained in control/status register (56), which are set to a default value in a default register (57) upon power up. The CPU (12) can store control information in the registers (56) in order to control the device (35). Further, status information of the device (35) can be stored in the register (56) for access by the CPU (12) through a bus interface (52).

System for charging/monitoring batteries for a microprocessor based

A power fail control system for a CPU (10) and external memory (16) utilizes a controller (18). The controller (18) is operable to detect an early power fail situation and output an interrupt to the CPU (10). The CPU (10) then goes into a power down sequence and stores critical instructions in an internal memory array (30) constituting a hidden memory during the power down sequence. An out of tolerance detector detects when the power supply voltage has fallen below a predetermined threshold and then generates reset signal. The reset signal is input to the CPU (10) to indicate that no further instructions are executable. In addition, a Chip Enable switch (46) is operated to inhibit memory control signals from being transferred from the CPU (10) to the memory (16). The internal hidden memory (30) is also inhibited from having data written thereto in the presence of the reset signal. A backup battery (22) is provided which is connected to one side of a switch. The other side of the switch is connected to the power supply voltage. When the power supply voltage falls below the battery voltage, the battery is connected to supply a current to the external memory (16).

Growing community of inventors

Carrollton, TX, United States of America

William F Davies, Jr